Naked Firefighter's Kitchen Antics Extinguished by Controversy

Firefighters have long enjoyed a reputation for putting together great-tasting, rib-sticking meals. Now they may pick up another reputation for rather questionable culinary judgment: cooking while naked.

What if the grease spatters?

That wasnt a concern, apparently, for a firefighter in Washington , D.C., who now finds himself in hot water after complaints about his behavior  and a photo  surfaced this past week. The photo, allegedly showing  well  a naked firefighter standing at a stove cooking, was taken during a retirement celebration at a station house in the capitals Columbia Heights district last July. Three other off-duty firefighters, similarly  um  unadorned, allegedly joined in, as well.

The issue? Other than the obvious hazards cooking in the nude presents to umm, more sensitive areas of your body, quite a few people who were not of the male persuasion were also on hand. The Washington Post reported that several high-ranking officials were also present.

"This event occurred sometime in late July, and then in early August, the complaint was filed, and since then our internal affairs office has been conducting an investigation, so that is an ongoing and open investigation," said D.C. Fire and EMS spokesman Pete Piringer in a story on MSNBC.

At least until now, none of the cooks in question have been disciplined but the New York Daily News reported that female emergency workers who were present at the event were "horrified" by what most would regard as unprofessional behavior. The whole incident is stirring complaints, as well, from other emergency workers who say they have been disciplined in the past for what they regard as far less serious infractions.

There is no word as yet about what the naked chef was actually cooking although we might venture a few guesses.

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